Nigelay Isik, a local official from İgziko, has urged global leaders attending the COP31 climate conference in Turkey to step outside the conference venue to directly observe the damage caused by coal mining in the area. This conference is being held from November 20 to 8 in Antalya, with one of its main focuses being the transition to cleaner energy.
Negative Impacts of Coal Mining
Isik, who is recognized as the elected representative of her community, emphasized that government leaders and UN officials should travel to İgziko in Muğla province to witness the negative impacts of coal mining on the environment and the lives of the people. These villagers, who have protested against coal mining for years, have faced fines and arrests.
Isik stated, "They should come here, to Akbelen and İgziko, not to Antalya." Her home is only a few hundred meters from a coal mine that has gradually expanded over the years. Lignite, known as the weakest type of coal, releases the highest amount of carbon dioxide when burned.
Social and Economic Consequences
Last year, coal was recognized as the largest source of electricity generation in Turkey, providing 34% of the country's electricity. Meanwhile, the mines in the Akbelen region produce only 2% of Turkey's electricity. Villagers and environmental activists like Isik argue that coal mining has destroyed forests and threatens olive groves, farmland, and local communities.
Isik also pointed to the harsh consequences of fighting against coal mining, mentioning her 26-year-old daughter, Esra, who was held in pretrial detention for 42 days due to protesting land seizures for mining. She has been sentenced to two years in prison.
Turkey's Energy Minister, Alperen Bayraktar, announced at a press conference that Turkey is working on a just transition to cleaner energy, but this process faces challenges as the mines employ thousands of people.
As villagers continue their struggle, human rights groups have expressed concerns about restrictions imposed on protests in Turkey. These restrictions include blanket bans on demonstrations and widespread arrests.
